Combination of drug dispensing device and ink ribbon cassette

Abstract

This invention provides a combination of a drug packaging device and an ink ribbon cassette, which writes information to a recording medium provided on a core tube attached to a roll support section that supports a roll of drug packaging paper. [Solution] The drug packaging device 1, which packages drugs one packet at a time using a drug packaging paper roll 200, comprises a roll support section 2 on which the core tube 201 of the drug packaging paper roll 200 is mounted, a printing and packaging unit 4 that packages drugs one packet at a time using drug packaging paper supplied from the drug packaging paper roll 200 on which the core tube 201 is mounted, and a wireless reader / writer that writes information to a core tube IC tag provided on the core tube 201 mounted on the roll support section 2. The ink ribbon cassette 3 is mounted on the printing and packaging unit 4.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a combination of a pharmaceutical packaging device that packages pharmaceuticals one pack at a time using packaging paper and an ink ribbon cassette.

Background Art

[0002] As a pharmaceutical packaging device that prints patient names, administration dates, etc. on pharmaceutical packaging paper and packages pharmaceuticals such as tablets and powders one pack at a time using this pharmaceutical packaging paper, the pharmaceutical dispensing device of Patent Document 1 is known.

[0003] The pharmaceutical dispensing device of Patent Document 1 supplies pharmaceutical packaging paper for wrapping pharmaceuticals from a pharmaceutical packaging paper roll, overlaps the pharmaceutical packaging paper and an ink ribbon at the position of a printing head, and prints patient names, administration dates, etc. with the printing head, and packages pharmaceuticals such as tablets and powders one pack at a time with the pharmaceutical packaging paper thus printed in a two-fold state so as to open upward.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, if the remaining amount of the pharmaceutical packaging paper remaining on the pharmaceutical packaging paper roll (the remaining amount of the roll-shaped object) can be shown, the user can know the number of packs that can be prescribed with the remaining pharmaceutical packaging paper and can use up the pharmaceutical packaging paper without waste.

[0006] ​​The remaining amount of the above-mentioned drug packaging paper can be determined by subtracting the length used from the initial length of the drug packaging paper roll. However, because the amount cut from the end of the drug packaging paper roll during product packaging varies slightly from worker to worker, the initial length itself may differ, and the initial length may also differ from lot to lot. Therefore, while an approximate length can be determined, the exact remaining amount cannot be determined. This is because, due to the inability to cut precisely, a little more than the specified amount is wound onto the roll.

[0007] Furthermore, the remaining amount of the above-mentioned drug packaging paper can be determined by judging the diameter of the drug packaging paper roll from the amount of rotation of the drug packaging paper roll when the drug packaging paper is dispensed, and then calculating it from this roll diameter and the paper thickness of the drug packaging paper. However, the paper thickness of the drug packaging paper required for this determination is not the paper thickness itself, but the thickness that takes into account the air layer present between the drug packaging papers stacked in the roll state.

[0008] However, the aforementioned air layer fluctuates due to various factors, such as the paper winding tension during the manufacturing of the drug packaging paper rolls. Therefore, it is impossible to accurately determine the thickness considering this air layer. Consequently, it has been difficult to show users the exact number of remaining packages.

[0009] This invention provides a drug packaging device that writes information to a recording medium provided on a core tube attached to a roll support section that supports a roll of drug packaging paper. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] Furthermore, the drug packaging device of this invention is a drug packaging device that packages drugs one sachet at a time using a drug packaging paper roll, and comprises a roll support section to which the core tube of the drug packaging paper roll is attached, a packaging unit that packages drugs one sachet at a time using drug packaging paper supplied from the drug packaging paper roll to which the core tube is attached, and a communication unit that writes information to a recording medium provided on the core tube attached to the roll support section, wherein the communication unit writes information about the drug packaging device.

[0011] Furthermore, the drug packaging device of this invention includes a roll support unit on which the core tube of a drug packaging paper roll is attached to a rotating shaft, a rotation amount information output unit that outputs rotation amount information indicating the amount of rotation of the rotating shaft, an information reading unit that writes information to a recording medium provided on the core tube attached to the roll support unit and reads the written information, and information that can be written to the recording medium, which is the rotation amount information at the reference paper remaining time, which is the rotation amount information when the packaging paper of the drug packaging paper roll has been fed out for a certain length at a reference time, and the reference The device is characterized by comprising: an information generation unit that generates rotation amount information for one or more rotations of the remaining paper amount at the time the drug packaging paper roll is fed out for a certain length of time at the time the packaging paper is used after the time the packaging paper is used, and the amount of paper used from the reference time to the time the packaging paper is used; and a paper remaining amount estimation unit that estimates the current amount of paper based on the rotation amount information at the reference paper remaining amount time, the rotation amount information at the time the remaining paper amount is used, the amount of paper used from the reference time to the time the packaging paper is used, and the dimensions information of the core tube.

[0012] With the above configuration, the current remaining paper amount is calculated and estimated based on the rotation amount information at the reference paper amount point, the rotation amount information at the current paper amount point, the amount of paper used from the reference point to the time the packaging paper is used, and the dimensional information of the core tube. Therefore, it is not necessary to use the paper thickness or air layer of the drug packaging paper in the remaining amount calculation, and the user can be shown an accurate amount of remaining paper.

[0013] Furthermore, the drug packaging device of this invention is characterized by comprising: a roll support unit on which the core tube of a drug packaging paper roll is mounted on a rotating shaft; a rotation amount information output unit that outputs the amount of rotation of the rotating shaft; an information generation unit that generates a first rotation amount when a certain length of packaging paper is fed out from the drug packaging paper roll with a first amount of packaging paper remaining; a second rotation amount when a certain length of packaging paper is fed out from the drug packaging paper roll with a second amount of packaging paper remaining which is less than the first amount; and a paper usage amount corresponding to the difference between the first amount and the second amount; a communication unit that writes the information generated by the information generation unit to a recording medium provided on the core tube and reads the written information; and a paper remaining amount calculation unit that calculates the amount of paper remaining after a certain length of packaging paper has been fed out from the drug packaging paper roll with a second amount of packaging paper remaining, based on the information read by the communication unit and the dimensional information of the core tube.

[0014] With the above configuration, the amount of remaining paper after a certain length of packaging paper has been fed from the drug packaging paper roll with the second amount of packaging paper remaining is calculated based on the first amount of rotation, the second amount of rotation, the amount of paper used, and the dimensional information of the core tube. Therefore, it is not necessary to use the paper thickness or air layer of the drug packaging paper in the remaining amount calculation, and the user can be shown an accurate amount of remaining paper.

[0015] The recording medium may be equipped with a control unit that performs processing when the rotation amount information or the first rotation amount at the reference paper remaining amount point has not yet been written, and processing when it has already been written.

[0016] If the control unit has not yet written the rotation amount information at the reference paper remaining amount or the first rotation amount to the recording medium, it may perform a process to acquire rotation amount information multiple times each time the drug packaging paper roll is fed out for a certain length of time, and if the rotation amount information remains within a predetermined range compared to the previous rotation amount information for a predetermined number of times, it may proceed to the process of acquiring the rotation amount information at the reference paper remaining amount or the first rotation amount.

[0017] The drug packaging device is characterized in that the control unit performs a process to acquire rotation amount information at the reference paper remaining amount or the first rotation amount by performing a process to acquire rotation amount information multiple times each time the drug packaging paper roll is fed out for a certain length, and uses the average value or most frequently occurring value of these as the rotation amount information for a predetermined time, and uses this rotation amount information for a predetermined time as the rotation amount information at the reference paper remaining amount or the first rotation amount.

[0018] The control unit may, when the recording medium has the rotation amount information at the reference paper remaining time or the first rotation amount written to it and does not have one or more rotation amount information at the current paper remaining time or the second rotation amount used for estimating the paper remaining time stored, perform a process of acquiring the rotation amount information at the current paper remaining time or the second rotation amount and writing it to the recording medium one or more times each time the packaged paper of the drug packaging paper roll is fed out a certain length. If the recording medium has the rotation amount information at the reference paper remaining time or the first rotation amount written to it and does not have one or more rotation amount information at the current paper remaining time or the second rotation amount used for estimation stored to it, perform a data update process of acquiring the rotation amount information at the current paper remaining time or the second rotation amount and overwriting the one or the oldest rotation amount information at the current paper remaining time or the second rotation amount in the recording medium each time the packaged paper of the drug packaging paper roll is fed out a certain length.

[0019] An antenna used for sending and receiving information between the recording medium and the information reading unit is provided on the roll support unit, and the arrangement surface of the antenna may intersect the axial direction of the rotating shaft unit.

[0020] Also, in the drug packaging device of the present invention, which packages drugs one by one using a drug packaging paper roll, a rotation amount information output unit that outputs rotation amount information indicating the rotation amount of a rotating shaft portion on which the core tube of the drug packaging paper roll is mounted, a usage amount information output unit that outputs usage amount information indicating the delivery amount of the packaging paper of the drug packaging paper roll, an information reading unit that reads, from a recording medium provided on the core tube of the drug packaging paper roll, rotation amount information at the time of the remaining amount of reference paper, which is rotation amount information indicating the rotation amount of the core tube of the drug packaging paper roll when the drug packaging paper roll is delivered a certain length at a reference time point, rotation amount information at the time of the remaining amount of current paper for one or more times, which is rotation amount information indicating the rotation amount of the core tube of the drug packaging paper roll each time the drug packaging paper roll is delivered the certain length at the time of using the packaging paper after the reference time point, and the paper usage amount from the reference time point to the time of using the packaging paper, an information generation unit that generates the above, a paper remaining amount estimation unit that estimates the current remaining amount of paper based on the rotation amount information at the time of the remaining amount of reference paper, the rotation amount information at the time of the remaining amount of current paper, the paper usage amount from the reference time point to the time of using the packaging paper, and the dimensional information of the core tube, and is characterized by including the above.

[0021] With the above configuration, in order to estimate the current remaining amount of paper based on the rotation amount information at the time of the remaining amount of reference paper, the rotation amount information at the time of the remaining amount of current paper, the paper usage amount from the reference time point to the time of using the packaging paper, and the dimensional information of the core tube, it is not necessary to use the paper thickness or air layer of the drug packaging paper for calculating the remaining amount, and an accurate remaining amount of paper can be shown to the user.

[0022] The amount of paper required for drug packaging may be compared with the remaining amount of paper, and a warning may be given when the comparison result is outside the allowable range.

[0023] Also, the drug packaging paper roll of the present invention is a drug packaging paper roll used in the above drug packaging device and having a recording medium provided on the core tube.

[0024] The dimensional information of the core tube may be stored in the recording medium.

[0025] In the above-described medicine packaging paper roll, the core tube may be composed of an inner tube portion and an outer tube portion, and the recording medium may be disposed in a gap between the inner tube portion and the outer tube portion.

[0026] Further, the method for determining the remaining amount of the medicine packaging paper of the present invention is a method for determining the remaining amount of the medicine packaging paper of a medicine packaging apparatus that packages medicines one by one using a medicine packaging paper roll. From the recording medium provided on the core tube of the medicine packaging paper roll, the rotation amount information indicating the rotation amount of the core tube of the medicine packaging paper roll when the medicine packaging paper roll is fed out by a certain length at a reference time point, which is the rotation amount information at the reference paper remaining amount time point, and the rotation amount information indicating the rotation amount of the core tube of the medicine packaging paper roll each time the medicine packaging paper roll is fed out by the certain length at the time of using the packaging paper after the reference time point, which is the rotation amount information at the current paper remaining amount time point for one or more times, and the paper usage amount from the reference time point to the time of using the packaging paper are obtained, and based on the rotation amount information at the reference paper remaining amount time point, the rotation amount information at the current paper remaining amount time point, the paper usage amount from the reference time point to the time of using the packaging paper, and the dimension information of the core tube, the current remaining amount of paper is estimated.

[0027] With the above-described configuration, in order to estimate the current remaining amount of paper based on the rotation amount information at the reference paper remaining amount time point, the rotation amount information at the current paper remaining amount time point, the paper usage amount from the reference time point to the time of using the packaging paper, and the dimension information of the core tube, it is not necessary to use the paper thickness or the air layer of the medicine packaging paper for calculating the remaining amount, and an accurate remaining amount of paper can be shown to the user.

[0028] Furthermore, the method for determining the remaining amount of drug packaging paper of the present invention is a method for determining the remaining amount of drug packaging paper of a drug packaging device that packages drugs one packet at a time using a drug packaging paper roll, and is characterized in that it obtains from a recording medium provided on the core tube of the drug packaging paper roll the amount of rotation of the core tube of the drug packaging paper roll when a certain length of packaging paper is fed out from the drug packaging paper roll with a first amount of packaging paper remaining, the amount of rotation of the core tube when a certain length of packaging paper is fed out from the drug packaging paper roll with a second amount of packaging paper remaining which is less than the first amount, and the amount of paper used which corresponds to the difference between the first amount and the second amount, and calculates the amount of paper remaining after a certain length of packaging paper has been fed out from the drug packaging paper roll with a second amount of packaging paper remaining, based on the first amount of rotation, the second amount of rotation, the amount of paper used, and the dimensional information of the core tube.

[0029] With the above configuration, the amount of remaining paper after a certain length of packaging paper has been fed from the drug packaging paper roll with the second amount of packaging paper remaining is calculated based on the first amount of rotation, the second amount of rotation, the amount of paper used, and the dimensional information of the core tube. Therefore, it is not necessary to use the paper thickness or air layer of the drug packaging paper in the remaining amount calculation, and the user can be shown an accurate amount of remaining paper.

[0030] Furthermore, the drug packaging device of this invention is a drug packaging device that packages and prints drugs using an ink ribbon roll and a drug packaging paper roll, and is characterized by comprising: a separation forming unit that forms a first state in which the print head and the backup unit opposite it are separated and a second state in which they are further separated from the first state; a winding control unit that performs control to wind up the ink ribbon in the second state so as to remove the slack of the ink ribbon on the ink ribbon roll; and a control unit that performs control to form the second state and wind up the ink ribbon when it is determined that there is a possibility that the drug packaging paper roll will be replaced.

[0031] A printing and packaging unit having a printing section using the above-mentioned ink ribbon roll and drug packaging paper roll, and a packaging section for packaging the drug, is provided so as to be movable from inside the main body of the device toward the front, and the control unit may, when it detects that the printing and packaging unit has been moved from inside the main body of the device toward the front and determines that there is a possibility that the ink ribbon roll may be replaced, execute control to form the second state and wind up the ink ribbon.

[0032] The control unit may determine that the drug packaging paper roll may need to be replaced if the information reading unit, which reads information from the recording medium provided on the core tube of the drug packaging paper roll, becomes unable to read information from the recording medium.

[0033] The control unit has a detection unit that detects whether or not the core tube has been removed from the rotating shaft that rotates the core tube, and the control unit may determine that the drug packaging paper roll may need to be replaced when the detection unit detects that the core tube has been removed from the rotating shaft.

[0034] The control unit may have a detection unit for detecting the end of the drug packaging paper roll, and may determine that the drug packaging paper roll may need to be replaced when the detection unit detects the end of the drug packaging paper roll.

[0035] Furthermore, the drug packaging device of this invention is a drug packaging device that packages and prints drugs using an ink ribbon roll and a drug packaging paper roll, and is characterized by comprising: a separation forming unit that forms a first state in which a print head and a backup unit facing it are separated by a first distance and a second state in which they are separated by a second distance longer than the first distance; a winding control unit that controls winding the ink ribbon in the second state to remove slack in the ink ribbon of the ink ribbon roll; and a control unit that, when it is determined that there is a possibility that the ink ribbon roll will be replaced, executes control to form the second state and wind the ink ribbon.

[0036] A printing and packaging unit having a printing section using the above-mentioned ink ribbon roll and drug packaging paper roll, and a packaging section for packaging the drug, is provided so as to be movable from inside the main body of the device toward the front, and the control unit may, when it detects that the printing and packaging unit has been moved from inside the main body of the device toward the front and determines that there is a possibility that the ink ribbon roll may be replaced, execute control to form the second state and wind up the ink ribbon.

[0037] The control unit may have a detection unit for detecting the end of the ink ribbon roll, and may determine that the ink ribbon roll may need to be replaced when the detection unit detects the end of the ink ribbon roll.

[0038] When the second state described above is formed and the winding control for the ink ribbon is executed, a brake may be applied to the rotation of the supply core of the ink ribbon roll, and the brake may be released when transitioning from the second state to the first state. [Effects of the Invention]

[0039] This invention allows for the accurate determination of the remaining amount of paper in the drug packaging, enabling users to know how many packages can be prescribed based on the remaining paper and thus use the packaging efficiently without waste. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0040] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a drug packaging device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the printing and packaging unit installed in the drug packaging device shown. [Figure 3] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the printing and packaging unit with the cover and other parts of the ink ribbon cassette removed. [Figure 4] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the back side of the printing section within the printing and packaging unit. [Figure 5] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the control system for the ink ribbon movement of the drug packaging device. [Figure 6] This is a flowchart illustrating the printing process. [Figure 7] This is a flowchart illustrating the overview of the ink ribbon transport process. [Figure 8] This is a cross-sectional view showing the core tube and roll support portion of a drug packaging paper roll according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] Figure (A) is a perspective view showing the roll support section, and Figure (B) is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the roll support section. [Figure 10] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the control system involved in the paper remaining amount estimation process of the drug packaging device. [Figure 11] Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the paper remaining amount estimation process of the drug packaging device shown. [Figure 12] Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the amount of packaging paper used at a reference point and the time of packaging paper use in the drug packaging device shown. [Figure 13] Figure 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of control when the printing and packaging unit shown is pulled out from inside the main body of the device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0041] Embodiments of this invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. As shown in Figure 1, the main body of the drug packaging device 1 in this embodiment includes a drug storage and dispensing unit 11 for storing drugs by type and dispensing one drug at a time based on a prescription, hopper groups 12 and 13 for receiving the drugs dispensed one at a time, and a printing and packaging unit 4 which is detachably mounted with a drug packaging paper roll 200 and an ink ribbon cassette 3, prints on drug packaging paper S supplied from the drug packaging paper roll 200, and uses this drug packaging paper S to package one drug at a time from the hopper groups 12 and 13. Furthermore, in order to facilitate the replacement of the ink ribbon cassette 3 and the drug packaging paper roll 200, the printing and packaging unit 4 can be moved from inside the device body to the front by rails and hinges. Whether or not the printing and packaging unit 4 has been moved from inside the device body to the front can be detected, for example, by a detection switch 422.

[0042] Figures 2 and 3 are perspective views showing the printing and packaging unit 4 with the drug packaging paper roll 200 and ink ribbon cassette 3 installed. Figures 2 and 3 also show the packaging section 45 of the printing and packaging unit 4. This packaging section 45 is the operating part that introduces the drug through the opening of the drug packaging paper S and heat-seals the drug packaging paper S to seal the introduced drug. The drug packaging paper S is passed over three guide shafts 4a, between the backup roller 4b and the print head 4e, and then over the guide shaft 4c. The ink ribbon R housed in the ink ribbon cassette 3 is guided by the tape guide of the printing and packaging unit 4, passes between the backup roller 4b and the print head 4e, detaches from the drug packaging paper S after printing, and returns to the ink ribbon cassette 3.

[0043] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the printing and packaging unit 4 as seen from the back. The unit on which the printing head 4e is installed is supported so as to be able to swing freely around the shaft 407. Specifically, the link member 406 and the printing head 4e are attached to the shaft 407, and when the head solenoid 405 is turned on, the link member 406 operates, causing the printing head 4e to rotate around the shaft 407. The printing head 4e then moves toward the backup roller 4b, pressing the ink ribbon R against the drug packaging paper S, and forming a state where it can be printed.

[0044] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, rotatable curved guide rollers 45b and 45c are positioned near the guide shaft 4c that guides the drug packaging paper S (downstream in the transport direction of the drug packaging paper S), causing the transport direction of the drug packaging paper S to curve just before the unfolding guide 45a of the packaging section 45. A hopper device for introducing the drug into the drug packaging paper S is provided on the back side of the unfolding guide 45a. The unfolding guide 45a unfolds the folded drug packaging paper S to form an opening for inserting the drug discharge section (nozzle) of the hopper device. The packaging section 45 is also equipped with a pair of heater rollers 45d and 45e below the unfolding guide 45a. Furthermore, a feed roller (not shown) is provided below the heater rollers 45d and 45e. These heater rollers 45d and 45e are rotationally driven by a drive mechanism (not shown) consisting of a motor, linear gears, intermittent gears, etc. The above-mentioned heater rollers 45d and 45e allow the above-mentioned drug packaging paper S to be driven at the feed speed V2 described later.

[0045] Furthermore, the supply-side support shaft 41 provided in the printing and packaging unit 4 supports the supply core 31 of the ink ribbon cassette 3 and rotates with the rotation of the supply core 31. The winding-side support shaft 42 supports the winding core 32 of the ink ribbon cassette 3 and rotates the winding core 32. Two plate-shaped antennas 43 and 44 are provided on the outside of the housing section in which the ink ribbon cassette 3 is installed. The two antennas 43 and 44 are arranged such that their radio wave transmitting and receiving surfaces face the circumferential surface of the supply-side support shaft 41 (or the circumferential surface of the supply core 31 when the ink ribbon cassette 3 is installed) and the orientations of their radio wave transmitting and receiving surfaces intersect (preferably at a 90° angle).

[0046] As shown in Figure 4, the winding-side support shaft 42 is rotated by the winding motor 401 and the drive force transmission path 402. The drive force transmission path 402 is equipped with a torque limiter 403, which cuts off the drive force transmission and causes the winding motor 401 to spin freely when a load exceeding a certain level is applied to the winding-side support shaft 42. This load occurs when the ink ribbon R, pushed by the print head 4e, is dragged along by the movement of the drug packaging paper S and attempts to move at the same speed as the paper's movement (feed speed V2). Furthermore, the winding... A disc portion 404a of a rotary encoder (rotation detection unit) 404, which detects the rotation state of the winding-side support shaft 42, is attached to the take-side support shaft 42. The rotation state of the disc portion 404a is detected by an optical sensor provided on the base 404b of the rotary encoder 404. The rotation of the winding-side support shaft 42 is detected by the rotary encoder 404.

[0047] Furthermore, a disc portion 411 of a rotary encoder 410, which detects the rotational state of the supply-side support shaft 41, is attached to the supply-side support shaft 41. The rotational state of the disc portion 411 is detected by an optical sensor provided on the base 412 of the rotary encoder 410. The rotary encoder 410 detects the rotation of the supply-side support shaft 41. In addition, a clutch 41a, such as an electromagnetic clutch, is provided on the supply-side support shaft 41, allowing switching between a state where the rotation of the supply-side support shaft 41 is free and a state where it is braked. When printing is not performed, the supply-side support shaft 41 is basically braked.

[0048] Furthermore, the backup roller 4b is equipped with a rotary encoder 4f for detecting its rotational state.

[0049] Figure 5 is a block diagram showing the positional relationship between the antennas 43 and 44 and the supply core 31, as well as the control system of the drug packaging device 1. The antennas 43 and 44 are connected to a wireless reader / writer 54. This wireless reader / writer 54 is controlled by a controller 5 and reads information from an IC tag (e.g., RFID: Radio Frequency Identification) 100 provided on the supply core 31 in the ink ribbon cassette 3, and also writes information to the IC tag 100.

[0050] The controller 5 consists of a microcomputer and operates as a drug dispensing control unit 51 that controls the drug dispensing unit 11, as well as functioning as a rotation speed control unit 52 for the winding side support shaft 42 and a write information output unit 53.

[0051] The rotation speed control unit 52 controls the winding motor 401 that rotates the winding core 32 (winding-side support shaft 42) of the ink ribbon cassette 3, based on the information read from the IC tag 100, such that V1 > V2, where V1 is the speed at which the ink ribbon R is moved in the winding direction and V2 is the feed speed of the drug packaging paper S. In this embodiment, speed V1 is set to 115% of speed V2, but a different value can also be used. Here, in the ink ribbon cassette 3, there is a certain relationship between the length of use of the ink ribbon R, the remaining roll diameter of the ink ribbon R remaining on the supply core 31, and the winding roll diameter of the ink ribbon R wound on the winding core 32.

[0052] Based on the above-mentioned relationship, the rotational speed of the winding-side support shaft 42 is changed according to the change in the usage length of the ink ribbon R, thereby causing the ink ribbon R to run at the above speed V1. The winding motor 401 can be rotated at such a rotational speed. Furthermore, because the torque limiter 403 is provided, when the head solenoid 405 is ON (when the print head 4e is pressing the ink ribbon R), a constant tension is applied to the ink ribbon R while the ink ribbon R is fed at the feed speed V2 of the drug packaging paper S. It can be driven.

[0053] The on / off threshold of the torque limiter 403 is set as follows: That is, when the ink ribbon R is dragged along by the movement of the drug packaging paper S and moves at speed V2, In this state, even when the ink ribbon R is pulled at speed V1, the movement of the ink ribbon R at speed V2 is ensured. Furthermore, when printing is finished and the head solenoid 405 is turned off, and the ink ribbon R is no longer dragged by the movement of the drug packaging paper S, the ink ribbon R is wound up at speed V1. When printing is finished, the winding Motor 401 is stopped.

[0054] Furthermore, as the ink ribbon R is used during the drug packaging process, the rotation speed is recalculated based on the total length used, which is calculated by adding the used length to the length used at the start of drug packaging. The length of the ink ribbon R used during drug packaging can be calculated using the winding speed and winding time of the ink ribbon R. Note that the IC tag 100 of a new ink ribbon roll 30 has information recorded on it indicating that the used length is zero.

[0055] Furthermore, the IC tag 100 can also record information such as the type of ink ribbon R (color, monochrome, etc.), the outer diameter or radius of the core (the outer diameter or radius of the supply core 31 and the outer diameter or radius of the winding core 32 are assumed to be the same), and the thickness of the ink ribbon R. If such information is recorded, it will be possible to handle cases where the outer diameter of the core and the thickness of the ink ribbon R are different. The winding roll diameter (here referred to as the radius) when the ink ribbon R is wound onto the winding core 32 can be determined by adding the layer thickness of the ink ribbon (thickness of the ink ribbon R × number of turns) to the radius of the winding core 32.

[0056] Furthermore, since the winding core 32 does not have the antennas 43 and 44 mentioned above, and the outer diameter or radius of the winding core 32 cannot be read from the IC tag 100, the outer diameter or radius of the core recorded in the IC tag 100 of the supply core 31 will be used as the outer diameter or radius of the core used to calculate the winding roll diameter.

[0057] A data table 55a containing information on the rotational speed relative to the usage length of the ink ribbon R may be provided in the memory 55. In this case, the rotational speed control unit 52 provides information indicating the usage length of the ink ribbon R as a read address to the data table 55a and obtains rotational speed information output from this data table 55a. As the ink ribbon R is used during drug packaging, the total usage length, obtained by adding this usage length to the usage length at the start of drug packaging, is sequentially provided to the data table 55a as a read address to obtain new rotational speed information. Alternatively, a data table 55a may be provided for each type of ink ribbon roll 30, and the type of ink ribbon roll 30 set in the drug packaging device may be read from the IC tag 100.

[0058] The motor control unit 56 controls the drive of the winding motor 401 under the control of the rotational speed control unit 52. That is, it controls the rotation of the winding motor 401 so that the winding-side support shaft 42 rotates at the rotational speed ω.

[0059] The write information output unit 53 outputs information on the total length of the ink ribbon used, which has changed due to the use of the ink ribbon R, to the wireless reader / writer 54. This information is written to the IC tag 100 by the wireless reader / writer 54. For example, the rotation speed control unit 52 sequentially provides the write information output unit 53 with the total length of the ink ribbon R used during drug packaging, which is calculated by adding the length of the ink ribbon R used at the start of drug packaging. The write information output unit 53 then supplies the total length of the ink ribbon R to the wireless reader / writer 54. The wireless reader / writer 54 sequentially writes the total length of the ink ribbon R to the IC tag 100. The next time, the drug packaging device 1 should perform the printing process based on the length of the ink ribbon R obtained from the IC tag 100.

[0060] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an overview of the printing process performed by the controller 5. The controller 5 performs the process of converting the image containing the patient's name, date and time of administration, etc., into a bitmap (step S1). The controller 5 then starts the process of heat-sealing each individual drug packaging paper S as it is moved by the heater rollers 45d and 45e (step S2). The controller 5 then determines, for example, whether the packaging paper has been sent to a predetermined position, that is, whether the starting position of the printing area of ​​the drug packaging paper S has reached the position of the print head 4e, based on the operation of the heater rollers 45d and 45e (step S3). When it determines that the drug packaging paper S has been sent to the starting position, the controller 5 turns on the head solenoid 405 (step S4). When the head solenoid 405 is turned on, the print head 4e presses the ink ribbon R against the packaging paper, and the ink ribbon R moves at the speed V2.

[0061] Furthermore, the controller 5 transfers the print data obtained by bitmap conversion to the print head 4e and heats the print head 4e (step S5). The controller 5 then determines whether the drug packaging paper S has been fed to the printing area (step S6). If it determines that it has not yet been fed, it proceeds to step S5, while if it determines that feeding is complete, it turns off the head solenoid 405 (step S7). If there is another print to be made, the controller 5 proceeds to step S1.

[0062] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing an overview of the ink ribbon R travel control performed during the above printing process. The controller 5 reads information indicating the usage length of the ink ribbon R from the IC tag 100 (step S10), and based on this information, the speed V1 is obtained. As described above, the rotational speed of the winding-side support shaft 42 is calculated (step S11). Then, at the same time that the head solenoid 405 is turned on in the printing process shown in Figure 6, the controller 5 rotates the winding-side support shaft 42 at the calculated rotational speed ω to wind up the ink ribbon R (step S12).

[0063] The controller 5 counts the number of output pulses from the rotary encoder 4f at the backup roller 4b (step S13) and determines whether the ink ribbon R has been wound up to the printing range (step S14). If the result in step S14 is no, the determination process continues; if the result is yes, the winding motor 401 is turned off, the drive of the winding-side support shaft 42 is stopped, and the winding of the ink ribbon R is terminated (step S15). The controller 5 then writes the newly calculated usage length, based on the length of the newly wound ink ribbon R, to the IC tag 100 (step S16).

[0064] In this way, information indicating the length of the ink ribbon R to be used is read from the IC tag 100 provided on the supply core 31 of the ink ribbon roll 30 which is detachably attached to the ink ribbon cassette 3. Based on this information, the winding motor 401 is controlled so that a rotational speed ω is generated on the winding-side support shaft 42 to obtain a speed V1 that is faster than the feed speed V2. As a result, the ink ribbon R can be wound without slack, even without using a tension bar. Therefore, there is no need to place a tension bar in the drug packaging device 1, and the work of passing the ink ribbon R over the tension bar is eliminated. In addition, since the ink ribbon R can be wound at a constant speed rather than intermittently, the print quality is improved. Furthermore, even if the winding motor 401 is controlled so that the above-mentioned rotational speed ω occurs in the winding-side support shaft 42, the torque limiter 403 is provided so that excessive tension is not applied to the ink ribbon R during printing, while the ink ribbon R can be run at the feed speed V2 of the drug packaging paper S.

[0065] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the core tube 201 of the drug packaging paper roll 200 mounted on the roll support section 2. Figures 9(A) and 9(B) are perspective views showing the internal structure of the roll support section 2.

[0066] The core tube 201 consists of an inner tube portion 201a and an outer tube portion 201b, and a core tube IC tag (e.g., RFID: Radio Frequency Identification) 202, which serves as a recording medium, is placed in the gap between the inner tube portion 201a and the outer tube portion 201b. Furthermore, a ring-shaped ferromagnetic material (iron part) 201c is provided at the inner end of the core tube 201, and a ring-shaped cover portion 201d that closes the gap is provided at the front end of the core tube 201.

[0067] The roll support section 2 has a fixed shaft section 21 and a rotating shaft section 22 that rotates around the fixed shaft section 21. The roll support section 2 is attached to the drug packaging device 1 by attaching a nut 21a to the base end of the fixed shaft section 21 and tightening it. When attaching the drug packaging paper roll 200 to the drug packaging device 1, the core tube 201 is fitted onto the rotating shaft section 22. For example, four magnets 22a are provided at equal intervals on the surface of the flange section of the rotating shaft section 22. When the drug packaging paper roll 200 is attached to the roll support section 2, the ferromagnetic material 201c is attracted to the magnets 22a and the core tube 201 is fixed, and when the drug packaging paper roll 200 rotates, the rotating shaft section 22 rotates.

[0068] A gear section is provided at the base end of the rotating shaft section 22, and a small gear of a motor, which is provided to apply a braking force to the rotating shaft section 22, is meshed with this gear section. The motor is an AC motor and generates an appropriate braking force by applying an appropriate DC voltage. In adjusting the paper tension of the drug packaging paper roll 200 using this braking force, for example, as shown in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2909450, the remaining paper diameter of the drug packaging paper roll 200 can be determined using a sensor consisting of a magnet and a Hall element, and the DC voltage can be adjusted in steps according to this remaining paper diameter.

[0069] The fixed shaft portion 21 has a hollow structure, through which wiring 29 can be passed. A substrate support member 23 is fixed to the tip of the fixed shaft portion 21. The circuit board 24 is supported by this substrate support member 23. A photosensor 24a, consisting of, for example, a light-emitting portion and a light-receiving portion, is provided on one side of the circuit board 24 (the back side of the circuit board 24 in Figure 9(B)). On the other hand, 24 protrusions 22b (shown as dashed lines in Figure 9(B)) are formed circumferentially on the end face of the rotating shaft portion 22 facing the circuit board 24, and when the rotating shaft portion 22 rotates, the protrusions 22b sequentially pass between the light-emitting portion and the light-receiving portion of the photosensor 24a. As a result, the rotation state of the rotating shaft 22 is detected by the photosensor 24a, and the controller 5 detects the output of the photosensor 24a via the wiring 29 to generate a count value, thereby knowing the rotation state of the rotating shaft 22. The photosensor 24a outputs a count value as rotation amount information indicating the amount of rotation of the rotating shaft 22, but is not limited to outputting such a count value.

[0070] Furthermore, an antenna 25 is provided on the other side of the circuit board 24 in a spiral shape, intersecting the axial direction of the rotating shaft portion 22 (the axial direction of the fixed shaft portion 21). This antenna 25 is also connected to the wiring 29. The board support member 23 and the circuit board 24 are covered by a cap portion 22c provided on the tip side of the rotating shaft portion 22. It is desirable that the core tube IC tag 202 be positioned so that its antenna surface does not intersect the extension of the surface on which the antenna 25 is formed.

[0071] Figure 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the paper remaining amount estimation unit 57 in the controller 5. The wireless reader / writer (information reading unit) 26 is controlled by the controller 5 and reads information from the core tube IC tag 202 and writes information to the core tube IC tag 202. In order to prevent unauthorized rewriting of the above information, the above information may be encrypted or compressed before being written to the IC tag 202.

[0072] The information generation unit 57a of the paper remaining amount estimation unit 57 generates a count value (corresponding to the rotation amount information at the reference paper remaining amount time, and in this embodiment referred to as the reference time count value (A)) based on the output of the photosensor 24a when the packaged paper S of the drug packaging paper roll 200 has been fed out for a certain length (e.g., 80 mm, which is one package) at a reference time, as information to be written to the core tube IC tag 202. The controller 5 can determine whether the packaged paper S has been fed out for the specified length based on the rotation amount of the heater rollers 45d, 45e, etc.

[0073] Furthermore, the information generation unit 57a generates count values ​​based on the output of the photosensor 24a for multiple times each time the packaging paper S of the drug packaging paper roll 200 is fed out for a certain length, at the time of use of the packaging paper after the reference time (corresponding to rotation amount information at multiple times the current paper remaining amount, and in this embodiment, it is set to 100 current count values ​​(B)). In addition, the information generation unit 57a generates the amount of paper used from the reference time to the time of use of the packaging paper, such as the number of packages elapsed since the reference time (α2, described later). Furthermore, the current count value It is possible to adopt a format that uses only one unit representing the current paper quantity at the time of use, rather than multiple units. Furthermore, the above rotation amount information is not limited to the above count value. In addition, the amount of paper used from the above reference point to the time of use of the individual paper packets is not limited to the above number of packets, and paper length used or other methods can be used.

[0074] Figure 12 shows the relationship between the amount of paper used at the reference point and the time of paper use. At the reference point, the amount of rotation of the core tube 201 when one pack of paper is pulled out from the state of pack P (the amount of rotation when transitioning from state (a) to state (b) in Figure 12) is the amount of rotation at the reference paper remaining point (the reference point count value (A)). This reference point count value (A) is described as x1 under certain conditions in the formula described later. Similarly, at the time of paper use, the amount of rotation of the core tube 201 when one pack of paper is pulled out from the state of pack Q (Q>P) (the amount of rotation when transitioning from state (c) to state (d) in Figure 12) is the amount of rotation at the current paper remaining point (the current point count value (B)). This current point count value (B) is described as x2 under certain conditions in the formula described later. Furthermore, the difference in the amount of paper used from state (a) to state (c) in Figure 12 is the amount of paper used, and dividing this amount of paper used by the length of one package gives the number of packages used (α2).

[0075] The paper remaining amount estimation unit 57 estimates the remaining amount of the drug packaging paper S that existed at the reference time based on the reference time count value (A), the current time count value (B), the number of packages elapsed from the reference time to the time of packaging paper use (α2), and the dimensions (outer diameter (diameter, radius), outer circumference) information of the core tube 201. It then estimates the current remaining amount of paper by subtracting the number of packages elapsed from the estimated remaining amount of paper at the reference time. The controller 5 can display the estimated current remaining amount of paper as the number of packages that can be packaged on the display unit 10.

[0076] Furthermore, the controller 5 performs processing when the reference time count value has not yet been written to the core tube IC tag 202, and processing when it has already been written.

[0077] Next, we will explain in detail how to estimate the remaining amount of paper in the above-mentioned drug packaging paper roll 200.

[0078] The paper remaining amount estimation unit 57 uses the count value (A) from the output of the photosensor 24a at the reference time and the count value (B) from the output of the photosensor 24a each time a certain amount of paper is fed from the reference time as information for estimating the remaining amount of paper. In addition, in order to improve the accuracy of the paper remaining amount estimation, the count value (B) is always acquired and the remaining amount of paper is calculated each time it is acquired. Then, for example, the remaining amount of packaged paper S is determined from the average value of the paper remaining amount calculation results for 100 times.

[0079] [How to obtain the count value at the reference point] When power is turned on, the controller 5 reads the information written to the core tube IC tag 202. If the reference time count value has not been obtained during this information reading, the process proceeds to the reference time detection preparation stage, as will be described in detail later using Figure 11. If the reference time count value has been obtained but the information for calculating the remaining amount has not been obtained, the process proceeds further to the information collection stage for the remaining amount of packaging paper to obtain the reference time count value (A).

[0080] [Calculation method] The relationship between the remaining number of 80mm paper packages y (packets), the paper thickness w (mm), the diameter r (mm) of the core tube 201, and the count value x (times) detected by the photosensor 24a when the paper package S is advanced a fixed length of 80mm is approximately given by Equation 1 (Equation 1) below. The derivation of Equation 1 will be described later.

number

[0081] If y1 is the number of remaining packages (in 80mm package equivalents) at the reference point, x1 (integer) is the count value obtained by the photosensor 24a when the dispensing paper S is advanced to a fixed length of 80mm at the reference point, and x2 (integer) is the count value obtained by the photosensor 24a after advancing α2 packages (in 80mm equivalents) from the reference point, then the following equations 2 (Equation 2) and 3 (Equation 3) are obtained. Note that the length of one package and the fixed length are set to 80mm, but the length of one package and the fixed length may be different.

number

number

[0082] Solving equations 2 and 3 for w yields the following equation 4 (equation 4).

number

[0083] Furthermore, solving equations 2 and 4 for y1 yields the following equation 5 (equation 5).

number

[0084] Each time the drug packaging paper S is advanced by a fixed length of 80 mm, y1 is calculated by substituting x2 and α2 from equation 5 into the count value obtained by the photosensor 24a. The number of remaining packages at the reference point is calculated from the average of the most recent, for example, 100, y1 values. The current number of remaining packages (the number of remaining packages in state (E) of Figure 12) is estimated by subtracting α2+1 packages (α2 + 1 package) from the average value of the above 100 y1 values. Regarding the diameter r (mm) of the core tube 201 in equation 5, if it is changed in the future, the changed value should be applied to equation 5. Core tube dimension information such as diameter r may be stored in the core tube IC tag 202 or in the memory 55. The inner diameter of the drug packaging paper roll 200 can be used as the outer diameter of the core tube. In other words, using the inner diameter of the drug packaging paper roll 200 is equivalent to using the outer diameter of the core tube.

[0085] [Deduction of the relationship between remaining paper amount and the corresponding count value] If we consider Y (mm) to be the remaining length of the drug packaging paper roll 200 at a given point in time, R (mm) to be the circumference of the core tube 201, and w (mm) to be the paper thickness of the packaging paper S, then we can assume that the remaining length of the packaging paper S is the sum of the circumferences of the n layers of concentric paper, and thus obtain equation 6 (equation 6).

number

[0086] Solving for n yields equation 7 (equation 7).

number

[0087] Furthermore, when the core tube 201 completes one rotation, the count value from the photo sensor 24a becomes 24. Therefore, the count value x from the photo sensor 24a when 80 mm of paper is fed is expressed by equation 8 (equation 8).

number

[0088] Substituting equation 7 into equation 8 yields equation 9 (equation 9).

number

[0089] Squaring both sides and then rearranging yields equation 10 (Equation 10). Note that the approximation shown in Equation 10 is possible because the paper thickness w (mm) of the packaging paper S is very small compared to the circumference R (mm) of the core tube 201 and the remaining length Y (mm) of the packaging paper on the paper tube.

number

[0090] By rearranging the equation with r = R / π (core pipe diameter [mm]) and Y = 80y, we obtain equation 11 (equation 11).

number

[0091] Equation 1 is derived from Equation 11 above. Note that Equation 10 is an approximate formula as shown above, but is not limited to such an approximate formula. Therefore, Equation 1 based on Equation 10 is also not limited to the above. Furthermore, in the above, the count value obtained by the output of the photosensor 24a when the core tube 201 completes one rotation is set to 24, the count value obtained by the output of the photosensor 24a when 80 mm of paper is fed is set to x, and the length of one package is... The case where the length is 80 mm is explained below. Let g be the count value obtained by the output of the above photosensor 24a when the core tube 201 completes one rotation, and x be the count value obtained by the output of the above photosensor 24a when paper is fed at h mm, and let j mm be the length of one pack, then the paper thickness (w) and the number of remaining packs y1 at the reference point are as follows.

number

number

[0092] Figure 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the process of estimating the remaining amount of packaging paper performed by the controller 5 described above.

[0093] When power is turned on (S21), the controller 5 reads the information written to the core tube IC tag 202. If the reference time count value has not been obtained during this information reading, the process proceeds to the reference time detection preparation stage (S22). If the reference time count value has been obtained but the information for calculating the remaining amount has not been obtained, the process proceeds to the information collection stage for the remaining amount of packaging paper (S24). If the reference time count value has been obtained and the information for calculating the remaining amount has also been obtained, the process proceeds to the remaining amount calculation update stage (S25).

[0094] The reference time detection preparation stage (S22) begins after power-on (S21) or after recovery from a paper end warning. During this reference time detection preparation stage, a count value is acquired from the output of the photosensor 24a every time a certain amount of paper S is advanced (80 mm). If the count value does not change by 2 or more compared to the previous value for, for example, 40 consecutive times, the acquisition preparation is considered complete, and the system transitions to the reference time detection stage (S23). During this reference time detection preparation stage, no information for detecting remaining paper is written to the core tube IC tag 202. Note that the reference time detection preparation stage (S22) may be omitted.

[0095] In the reference time acquisition stage (S23), for every 80 mm the paper pack S is advanced, the count value from the photo sensor 24a is acquired, for example, 19 times. The average value of these counts (the most frequently occurring value may also be used) is taken as, for example, the count value at the 10th count, and is also taken as the count value (A) from the photo sensor 24a at the reference time. This count value (A) is written to the core tube IC tag 202. Then, the process transitions to the paper pack remaining amount information collection stage (S24). However, if the count value from the photo sensor 24a changes by 2 or more compared to the previous value while acquiring the above 19 count values, the reference time detection preparation stage (S22) is repeated. When the above average value is adopted as the count value at the 10th count, 19 packs of paper have been used as described above, and "10" is set as the number of packs elapsed since the reference time, including the use of one pack at the 10th count.

[0096] In the information collection stage for remaining paper quantity (S24), a count value (B) is obtained from the output of the photosensor 24a every time the paper quantity S is advanced by 80 mm. Using this count value (B), the count value at the reference point (A), the number of packages elapsed since the reference point, and the diameter r of the core tube 201, the amount of paper remaining at the reference point is calculated, and the calculation result is stored in memory 55. Once count values ​​(B) for 100 units (100 units including the 9 units in the above example) have been obtained, the process transitions to the remaining quantity calculation update stage (S25). The count values ​​(B) for the 100 units are also written to the core tube IC tag 202. It is also possible to write the remaining length, etc., as the remaining paper quantity to the core tube IC tag 202, but due to the capacity limitations of the core tube IC tag 202, only the count value (B) is written.

[0097] In the remaining amount calculation update stage (S25), each time the paper pack S is advanced by 80 mm, a count value (B) is obtained from the output of the photosensor 24a, and the remaining paper amount at the reference point is calculated. At this stage, the remaining paper amount for 100 reference points is obtained based on the most recent 100 count values ​​(B), and the latest remaining paper amount is calculated by subtracting the number of elapsed packs α2 from the average value of these count values. This can be done. And each time the remaining amount of paper is calculated, the oldest calculation result among the 100 paper remaining amount calculation results stored in the memory 55 above is overwritten with the latest calculation result. In addition, the oldest count value (B) of the 100 count values ​​(B) stored in the core tube IC tag 202 above is also overwritten with the latest count value (B). As previously described using Figure 12, the amount of rotation of the core tube 201 when one pack of paper is pulled out from the state of pack P at the reference time becomes the reference time count value (A). Therefore, rather than using the value obtained by subtracting the number of packs α2 elapsed from the above average value as the paper remaining amount calculation result, it is possible to estimate the current remaining amount of paper more accurately by taking the above one pack into consideration and subtracting the number of packs α2+1 elapsed from the above average value as the paper remaining amount calculation result.

[0098] In this way, based on the above-mentioned reference time count value, the above-mentioned current time count value, the number of packages elapsed from the reference time to the time of use of the packaging paper, and the above-mentioned core tube dimensional information, the remaining amount of the above-mentioned drug packaging paper S that existed at the reference time is estimated. Therefore, it is not necessary to use the paper thickness or air layer of the drug packaging paper S in the calculation of the remaining amount, and the user can be shown an accurate amount of paper remaining. However, for a while after obtaining the above-mentioned reference time count value, the numerical value of the remaining amount of paper presented to the user may not be stable. In this unstable stage, the amount of paper remaining presented to the user may be determined, for example, from the diameter of the drug packaging paper roll 200 and the paper thickness of the packaging paper S.

[0099] When the reference time count value has not yet been written to the core tube IC tag 202, the controller 5 performs a process to acquire the count value multiple times each time the drug packaging paper S of the drug packaging paper roll 200 is fed out by a certain length (e.g., 80 mm). If the count value remains within a predetermined range compared to the previous value for a predetermined number of times (e.g., 40 times), the controller 5 proceeds to the process of acquiring the reference time count value. Here, the outer circumference of the drug packaging paper roll 200 tends to sag, and if there is not a constant thickness of air layer, the fluctuation range of the count value will be large. However, by going through the reference time detection preparation stage described above, it is possible to prevent the calculation of an inaccurate amount of remaining paper.

[0100] Furthermore, the controller 5 performs a process to acquire the count value at a reference time multiple times (for example, 19 times) each time the dispensing paper S of the drug dispensing paper roll 200 is fed out by a certain length (for example, 80 mm), and takes the average of these values ​​as the count value at a predetermined time (for example, the 10th time). This process also sets the count value at this predetermined time as the count value at the reference time, thus preventing the calculation of an inaccurate amount of remaining paper.

[0101] Furthermore, when the reference time count value is written to the core tube IC tag 202 and multiple current count values ​​(for example, 100) are not stored, the controller 5 performs a process of acquiring the current count value and writing it to the core tube IC tag 202 one or more times each time a certain length (for example, 80 mm) of the packaging paper S from the drug packaging paper roll 200 is fed out. When the reference time count value is written to the core tube IC tag 202 and one or more current count values ​​(for example, 100) are stored, the controller 5 performs a data update process of acquiring the current count value and overwriting the oldest current count value in the core tube IC tag 202 each time a certain length of the packaging paper S from the drug packaging paper roll 200 is fed out, thereby preventing the calculation of an inaccurate amount of remaining paper.

[0102] Furthermore, since the core tube IC tag 202 stores a count value rather than the remaining paper amount itself, even when writing data for 100 items as described above, there is the advantage that a core tube IC tag 202 with a large memory capacity is not required. In addition, when switching from a package counting system where one package is 80 mm to a package counting system where one package is 90 mm, the above count value can be stored, allowing the switch to be performed immediately.

[0103] Furthermore, since the core tube IC tag 202 stores the current count value for one or more cycles (for example, 100 units), even if the drug packaging paper roll 200 is replaced midway through, if the core tube IC tag 202 of the replaced drug packaging paper roll 200 has the current count value for one or more cycles stored, the remaining number of packages and the roll diameter of the replaced drug packaging paper roll 200 can be immediately determined from the current count value. In addition, when adjusting the DC voltage applied to the motor that generates a braking force for the rotation of the drug packaging paper roll 200 based on the roll diameter of the drug packaging paper roll 200, it is possible to immediately determine the DC voltage value from the roll diameter without actually rotating the replaced drug packaging paper roll 200 several times.

[0104] If the same IC tag 100 is used for both the ink ribbon cassette 3 and the core tube IC tag 202, there is a risk that the antenna 25 inside the roll support unit 2 may receive the signal from the IC tag 100 if the ink ribbon cassette 3 is placed near the roll support unit 2. However, since both IC tags have a UID (Unique Item Identification) recorded on them, the controller 5 may, for example, perform error processing when it receives a signal with a UID different from the UID being processed.

[0105] Different types of IC tags may be used for the IC tag 100 of the ink ribbon cassette 3 and the core tube IC tag 202. In this case, even if the ink ribbon cassette 3 is placed near the roll support unit 2, interference with the signal of the IC tag 100 can be prevented. Therefore, even if the ink ribbon cassette 3 is placed near the roll support unit 2, the paper remaining amount estimation process can continue without error handling.

[0106] The controller 5 may compare the number of packages required for drug packaging based on prescription data with the estimated number of packages possible based on the current amount of remaining paper, and issue a warning if the result of this comparison falls outside an acceptable range. The acceptable range is set, for example, so that the number of packages based on the estimated current amount of remaining paper is 10 or more than the number of packages required for drug packaging. The warning can also be given, for example, by a text message using the display unit 10 or by an alarm sound.

[0107] Furthermore, the embodiment described above includes a roll support unit 2 on which the core tube 201 of the drug packaging paper roll 200 is mounted, a rotation amount information output unit (for example, the photosensor 24a) that outputs rotation amount information indicating the amount of rotation of the rotating shaft unit 22, an information reading unit (for example, a wireless reader / writer 26) that writes information to a recording medium (for example, the core tube IC tag 202) provided on the core tube 201 via an antenna 25 provided on the roll support unit 2 and reads the written information, and the information that can be written to the recording medium is the number of times when a certain length of packaging paper is fed out from the drug packaging paper roll 200 with a first amount of packaging paper remaining. The disclosed drug packaging device includes: an information generation unit 57a that generates a first rotation amount, which is rotation amount information; a second rotation amount, which is rotation amount information when a certain length of packaging paper is fed from the drug packaging paper roll 200 with a second amount of packaging paper remaining that is less than the first amount; and the amount of paper used (for example, the number of packages α2) corresponding to the difference between the first amount and the second amount; and a paper remaining amount calculation unit (paper remaining amount determination unit 57) that calculates the amount of paper remaining after a certain length of packaging paper has been fed from the drug packaging paper roll 200 with a second amount of packaging paper remaining that is based on the first rotation amount, the second rotation amount, the amount of paper used, and the dimensional information of the core tube 201.

[0108] In the above embodiment, the reference time is exemplified as the time when the first quantity existed, the time when the packaging paper was used is exemplified as the time when the second quantity existed, the reference time count value is exemplified as the first rotation amount, and the current time count value is exemplified as the second rotation amount. Furthermore, the controller 5 performs processing when the first rotation amount has not yet been written to the recording medium (for example, the core tube IC tag 202) and when it has already been written.

[0109] Furthermore, if the first rotation amount has not yet been written to the recording medium, the controller 5 performs a process to acquire rotation amount information multiple times each time the drug packaging paper roll 200 is fed out for a certain length of time, and when the rotation amount information remains within a predetermined range compared to the previous rotation amount information for a predetermined number of times, it proceeds to the process of acquiring the first rotation amount. In addition, as the process of acquiring the first rotation amount, the controller 5 performs a process to acquire rotation amount information multiple times each time the drug packaging paper roll 200 is fed out for a certain length of time, and uses the average value or the most frequently occurring value as the rotation amount information for a predetermined time, and uses this rotation amount information for a predetermined time as the first rotation amount. Furthermore, if the first rotation amount is written to the recording medium and one or more second rotation amounts used for calculating the remaining paper amount are not stored, the controller 5 performs a process of acquiring the second rotation amount and writing it to the recording medium one or more times each time the packaged paper of the drug packaging paper roll 200 is fed out a certain length. If the first rotation amount is written to the recording medium and one or more second rotation amounts used for calculation are stored, the controller 5 performs a data update process of acquiring the second rotation amount each time the packaged paper of the drug packaging paper roll 200 is fed out a certain length and overwriting the one or the oldest second rotation amount in the recording medium.

[0110] Furthermore, the embodiments described above are methods for determining the remaining amount of drug packaging paper in a drug packaging device that packages drugs one packet at a time using a drug packaging paper roll 200, wherein a recording medium (for example, the core tube IC tag 202) provided on the core tube 201 of the drug packaging paper roll 200 determines the amount of rotation of the core tube 201 of the drug packaging paper roll 200 when a certain length of packaging paper is fed out from the drug packaging paper roll 200 with a first amount of packaging paper remaining, and a second amount of packaging paper less than the first amount remaining. The present invention discloses a method for determining the remaining amount of drug packaging paper, which involves obtaining a second amount of rotation of the core tube 201 when the packaging paper is dispensed for a certain length from the drug packaging paper roll 200, and a paper usage amount (e.g., elapsed number of packages α2) corresponding to the difference between the first amount and the second amount, and calculating the remaining amount of paper after the second amount of packaging paper has been dispensed for a certain length from the drug packaging paper roll with the second amount of packaging paper remaining, based on the first amount of rotation, the second amount of rotation, the paper usage amount, and the dimensional information of the core tube.

[0111] Furthermore, the rotation amount information at the reference paper remaining amount point and the first rotation amount may be obtained, for example, by performing a simulated packaging process on the drug packaging paper roll 200 at the shipping stage of the drug packaging paper roll 200, and recorded on the core tube IC tag 202 provided on the core tube 201 of the drug packaging paper roll 200. In this case, the process of generating the rotation amount information at the reference paper remaining amount point and the first rotation amount and recording them on the core tube IC tag 202 during the actual packaging process becomes unnecessary. Also, although it has been illustrated that the count value output by the photosensor 24a is "24" when the core tube 201 completes one rotation, this is not the only example, and for example, a configuration that counts more per rotation may be used. Furthermore, if a configuration that counts more per rotation is used, it becomes possible to determine the remaining paper amount using a single count value rather than the average of multiple count values.

[0112] Although embodiments of this invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, this invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments. Various modifications and variations can be made to the illustrated embodiments within the same scope as this invention, or within the equivalent scope.

[0113] Furthermore, it is possible to determine the paper thickness of the drug packaging paper S from equations 4 and 12 above.

[0114] The above describes how to estimate the remaining amount of drug packaging paper S, but the estimation method can also be used to estimate the remaining amount of ink ribbon.

[0115] Furthermore, the air gap is smaller and less varied on the inner circumference of the drug packaging paper roll 200 than on the outer circumference. Therefore, as the diameter of the drug packaging paper roll 200 decreases, the air gap almost disappears or its variation decreases, so the estimated remaining amount of drug packaging paper S calculated by the drug packaging device 1 becomes even more accurate as the amount of drug packaging paper S decreases. In particular, the estimation of the remaining amount of paper becomes most accurate just before the end of the drug packaging paper S, that is, when the amount of drug packaging paper S remaining on the core tube 201 is equivalent to one full rotation, making it possible to accurately signal the end of the drug packaging paper S. However, the drug packaging device 1 may use the drug packaging paper roll 200 until the paper end sensor 421 (see Figures 2 and 3) detects that the remaining amount of drug packaging paper S is 0, regardless of whether the current remaining amount of paper estimated by the paper remaining amount estimation unit 57 is 0 or not. As the paper end sensor 421, an optical sensor can be used in which the light sent from the light emitter to the light receiver is blocked by the drug packaging paper S delivered from the drug packaging paper roll 200. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the paper end sensor 421 is installed, for example, near the travel path of the drug packaging paper roll 200 before it reaches the print head 4e. The estimation accuracy of the paper remaining amount estimation unit 57 fluctuates due to slight dimensional differences between each drug packaging device 1 and environmental factors such as temperature and humidity. Therefore, the paper remaining amount estimation unit 57 may estimate the current paper remaining amount to be less or more than the actual amount. The method for estimating the current paper remaining amount in the future may be corrected based on whether the current paper remaining amount estimated by the paper remaining amount estimation unit 57 is more or less than the actual paper remaining amount. Whether the current amount of remaining paper estimated by the paper remaining amount estimation unit 57 is more or less than the actual amount of remaining paper can be detected, for example, by determining which occurs earlier: the timing at which the paper remaining amount estimation unit 57 estimates the current amount of remaining paper to be 0, or the timing at which the paper end sensor 421 detects that the remaining amount of drug packaging paper S is 0. For example, if the paper remaining amount estimation unit 57 estimates an amount less than the actual amount as the current amount of remaining paper, thereafter, when estimating the amount of remaining paper in the drug packaging paper roll 200 attached to the drug packaging device 1, it will estimate an amount that is a certain amount greater than the amount estimated above as the current amount of remaining paper.On the other hand, if the paper remaining amount estimation unit 57 estimates a larger amount than the actual amount as the current paper remaining amount, thereafter, when estimating the paper remaining amount of the drug packaging paper roll 200 attached to the drug packaging device 1, it will estimate a certain amount less than the previously estimated amount as the current paper remaining amount. This certain amount can be, for example, a length equivalent to one or two packages.

[0116] Furthermore, after the paper remaining amount estimation unit 57 estimates the current remaining amount to be 0, or after the paper end sensor 421 detects that the remaining amount of packaging paper is 0, the drug packaging device 1 may write information about itself (for example, information about the most recent error) to the area of ​​the core tube IC tag 202 where the count value from the photosensor 24a is recorded. By writing such information and collecting the core tube after the packaging paper S has been used, the status of the drug packaging device 1 can be confirmed, allowing for appropriate maintenance and improvements to the drug packaging device 1. In addition, by writing information about the drug packaging device 1 to the area of ​​the core tube IC tag 202 where the count value from the photosensor 24a is recorded, even IC tags with limited memory capacity can be used as core tube IC tags 202.

[0117] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, the printing and packaging unit 4 is provided with a head moving motor 408. An eccentric cam 408a is mounted on the rotation axis of the head moving motor 408, and this eccentric cam 408a is in contact with the link member 406. In addition, a coil spring 409 pulls the link member 406 in a direction that separates it from the backup roller 4b. When the eccentric cam 408a rotates, the link member 406 moves around the axis 407 against the biasing force of the coil spring 409. This movement creates a first state in which the distance between the printing head 4e and the backup roller 4b is, for example, about 10 mm, and a second state in which the distance is even longer, about 30 mm.

[0118] When the above interval change operation is performed and the link member 406 moves, the operating shaft of the head solenoid 405 connected to the link member 406 also moves. When the head solenoid 405 is turned on in the first state, the operating shaft of the head solenoid 405 pushes the link member 406, and the print head 4e moves in the direction of the backup roller 4b, pressing the ink ribbon R against the drug packaging paper S and creating a printable state.

[0119] By forming the second state described above, the replacement of the ink ribbon cassette 3 and the drug packaging paper roll 200 becomes easier. However, when the second state is formed, the print head 4e does not press the ink ribbon R of the ink ribbon cassette 3, and the ink ribbon R tends to loosen and remain attached to the drug packaging paper S by static electricity. In this state, it becomes difficult to replace the drug packaging paper roll 200, and the ink ribbon R may stick to the drug packaging paper S of the drug packaging paper roll 200 that is being replaced, resulting in the ink ribbon R being wasted.

[0120] Therefore, when the second state described above is formed, the winding core 32 of the ink ribbon cassette 3 is rotated by the winding motor 401 to wind up the slack portion of the ink ribbon R and remove the slack from the ink ribbon R. The length of the slack portion of the ribbon is approximately constant, but the amount of ink ribbon R wound up when the winding core 32 is rotated once varies depending on the winding diameter of the ink ribbon R wound onto the winding core 32.

[0121] In this embodiment, the controller 5 uses the length of the ink ribbon R read from the IC tag 100 to rotate the winding motor 401 to wind up the slack portion of the ribbon (for example, determined to be 3 cm). Specifically, the controller 5 calculates the rotation angle of the winding motor 401 required to wind up the slack portion of the ink ribbon R from the current winding diameter of the ink ribbon roll 30 based on the length of the ink ribbon R, and drives the winding motor 401 to rotate at this angle.

[0122] Furthermore, if the second state is formed when the operation of pulling out the printing and packaging unit 4 from inside the main body of the device is detected by the detection switch 422 (see Figure 1), then the second state will be formed automatically without any switch operation by the operator. Also, if the structure is such that the ink ribbon cassette 3 and the drug packaging paper roll 200 are arranged at the positions indicated by the dashed lines in Figure 1, the printing and packaging unit 4 may be provided to be pullable and rotatable around a vertical axis. In such a case, for example, the second state can be formed when either the pulling operation or the rotation operation is detected by the detection switch 422 or the like.

[0123] However, if the second state is formed and the ink ribbon R is wound up every time the pulling operation of the printing and packaging unit 4 is detected, a lot of the ink ribbon R will be wasted.

[0124] Therefore, when the controller 5 determines the end of the ink ribbon on the ink ribbon roll 30 or the end of the paper on the drug packaging paper roll 200, and detects the pulling operation of the printing packaging unit 4, it forms the second state and winds up the ink ribbon R. A light-reflecting region is formed in a predetermined length region at the rear end of the ink ribbon R wound on the ink ribbon roll 30, and the controller 5 determines that the ink ribbon R has ended when it detects the light-reflecting region using an optical sensor (not shown). The controller 5 also determines the end of the packaging paper S based on the output of the paper end sensor 421.

[0125] For example, the controller 5 performs print head separation control when the printing and packaging unit 4 is pulled forward or rotated from the main body of the device. In this print head separation control, the controller 5 determines whether the packaging paper S has finished (step S31), as shown in Figure 13. If the controller 5 determines that the packaging paper S has finished, it forms a second state and removes the slack in the ink ribbon (step S34). On the other hand, if it determines that the packaging paper S has not finished, it determines whether the ink ribbon R has finished (step S32).

[0126] If the controller 5 determines that the ink ribbon R has run out, it enters a second state to remove the slack in the ink ribbon (step S34). In this case, since there is almost no ink ribbon R left, the controller 5 may wind up as much of the ink ribbon R as possible. On the other hand, if the controller 5 determines that the ink ribbon R has not run out, it determines whether the UID of the core tube IC tag 202 can be read by the wireless reader / writer 26 (step S33). If the UID of the core tube IC tag 202 cannot be read, the controller 5 enters a second state to remove the slack in the ink ribbon (step S34). When the drug packaging paper roll 200 is replaced, the core tube 201 is removed from the rotating shaft 22, so the UID of the core tube IC tag 202 cannot be read.

[0127] If the UID of the core tube IC tag 202 can be read, the print head separation control is terminated. In this embodiment, the determination of whether or not the UID of the core tube IC tag 202 can be read is made until it is detected that the print packaging unit 4 has been returned to the main body of the device. When it is detected that the print packaging unit 4 has been returned to the main body of the device, the print head separation control is terminated.

[0128] Thus, when it is determined that there is a possibility of replacing the ink ribbon roll 30 or the drug packaging paper roll 200, the second state is formed to remove the slack in the ink ribbon R. This significantly reduces the waste of the ink ribbon R compared to a control that always winds up to remove slack simply because the printing and packaging unit 4 has moved.

[0129] Instead of making the decision in step S34 above, the controller 5 may make a decision based on the output of a dedicated sensor (such as a sensor that detects the ferromagnetic material 201c) provided to detect whether or not the core tube 201 has been removed from the rotating shaft 22. That is, the controller 5 may determine that the drug packaging paper roll 200 may be replaced if the dedicated sensor detects that the core tube 201 has been removed from the rotating shaft 22.

[0130] Furthermore, when winding up the ink ribbon R to remove slack, it is preferable to apply a brake to the supply-side support shaft 41 using the clutch 41a. Also, when the rotational or movement operation of returning the printing packaging unit 4 to the main body of the device after the replacement of the drug packaging paper roll 200 etc. is detected by the detection switch 422 etc., the controller 5 drives the head movement motor 408 to transition from the second state to the first state.

[0131] When transitioning from the second state to the first state, the print head 4e presses against the ink ribbon R, which is taut and stretched after the slack has been removed in the second state. If the clutch 41a were to apply a brake to the supply-side support shaft 41 in this state, the ink ribbon R might not be able to withstand the tension and could break.

[0132] Therefore, in this embodiment, when transitioning from the second state to the first state, the brake on the supply-side support shaft 41 by the clutch 41a is released. This reliably prevents the ink ribbon R from being cut. [Explanation of symbols]

[0133] 1. Drug packaging device 11. Medication Dispensing Unit 2 Roll support section 22 Rotating shaft section 23 Substrate support member 24 Circuit boards 24a Photosensor 25 Antennas 26 Wireless reader / writer (information reading unit, communication unit) 3 Ink ribbon cassette 30 ink ribbon rolls 31 Supply wick 32 reel cores 4 Printing and Packaging Unit 4e print head 4b Backup roller (backup section) 408 Head movement motor (separation forming section) 421 Paper end sensor (detection unit) 5. Controller (Control Unit) 52 Rotational Speed ​​Control Unit 55 memory 54 Wireless Reader / Writer 56 Motor Control Unit 57. Paper remaining amount determination unit (paper remaining amount estimation unit, paper remaining amount calculation unit) 57a Information generation section 200 rolls of medication packaging paper 201 Core tube 202 Core tube IC tag (recording medium) R Ink Ribbon S Drug packaging paper

Claims

[Claim 1] A rotation amount information output unit that outputs rotation amount information indicating the amount of rotation of the rotating shaft part to which the drug packaging paper roll is attached, The above-mentioned drug packaging paper roll includes an information reading unit that writes information to a recording medium provided on the core tube and reads the written information, Based on the rotation amount information output by the above rotation amount information output unit, an information generation unit generates the following information that can be written to the above recording medium: rotation amount information at the reference paper remaining amount point, which is the rotation amount information when the packaging paper of the drug packaging paper roll attached to the rotating shaft has been fed out for a certain length at the reference time; rotation amount information at the current paper remaining amount point for one or more times, which is the rotation amount information for each time the packaging paper of the drug packaging paper roll has been fed out for the certain length at the time of packaging paper use after the reference time; and the amount of paper used from the reference time to the time of packaging paper use. A paper remaining amount estimation unit estimates the current remaining amount of paper based on the rotation amount information at the above reference paper remaining amount point, the rotation amount information at the above current paper remaining amount point, the amount of paper used from the above reference point point to the above time of packaging paper use, and the dimensional information of the core tube. A supply-side support shaft that rotates to supply the ink ribbon for printing on the above-mentioned packaging paper to the printing unit, The winding side support shaft rotates to wind up the ink ribbon, A drug packaging device equipped with the following features: A method for manufacturing a combination of an ink ribbon cassette and a drug packaging device, wherein the supply core of an ink ribbon cassette detachable from the drug packaging device is supported on the supply-side support shaft, and the winding core of the ink ribbon cassette is supported on the winding-side support shaft.

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